Procurement Manager

About Umicore

Powering the cars of today and tomorrow. Reducing harmful emissions. Giving unique properties to high-end applications. Giving new life to used metals. As a global advanced materials and recycling group, we develop, produce, and recycle materials for a better life.

About Cobalt & Specialty Materials 

Mastering the cobalt value chain. Umicore’s expertise covers the sourcing, production and distribution of cobalt and nickel products. Umicore’s materials are at the heart of products we use every day such as rechargeable batteries, tools, paints and tyres. Our recycling and refining processes give new life to cobalt and other metals and reduce environmental impacts. To meet the demands of our customers we cannot stand still. We need to find new ways to do things, discover new solutions and develop new ideas. Which is where you come in.

Your Key Accountabilities

You will take ownership of strategic sourcing activities for key raw materials, chemicals, metals, and other critical inputs while leading a procurement team. The role combines strategic procurement, supplier relationship management, market intelligence, sustainability, and team leadership. You'll also:

• Lead local procurement activities for direct and indirect spend categories, with a strong focus on chemicals, metals, and raw materials.
• Develop and execute sourcing strategies to ensure security of supply and optimize total cost of ownership.
• Negotiate supplier contracts and manage strategic supplier relationships.
• Monitor raw material markets, price developments, and supply risks.
• Drive procurement reporting and spend analysis, leveraging SAP data and supporting the implementation of new reporting processes.
• Lead, coach, and develop a team.
• Foster a collaborative, transparent, and continuous improvement culture.
• Support sustainable procurement initiatives and supplier compliance requirements.
• Collaborate closely with R&D, Operations, Production, and Sales to align procurement strategies with business needs.

Who we are looking for

This position requires a hands-on procurement professional who thrives in a dynamic environment, is comfortable navigating complexity and changing priorities, and can effectively connect business needs with procurement strategies.

• Master's degree in Chemistry, Engineering, Supply Chain, Procurement, or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years of procurement experience in a manufacturing, chemical, or industrial environment.
• Strong expertise in strategic sourcing, supplier management, and contract negotiations.
• Solid understanding of chemicals, raw materials, and industrial processes.
• Strong SAP knowledge and experience with procurement reporting and data analysis.
• Fluent Dutch and English.
• Analytical, results-driven, and comfortable working in a dynamic environment.
• Pragmatic team player with strong stakeholder management and communication skills.

What we offer

We aim to lead the way. Not just for our customers, but for our employees too. That is why we strive to create a collaborative environment in which we can all succeed, and a culture through which we can all share ideas, develop our expertise and advance our careers. We engage in building an inclusive work culture that offers equal opportunities for all employees irrespective of their diverse backgrounds. As you would expect from a world-leading organisation, we will also reward your contribution with a competitive salary and benefits. With all this and more, imagine what you could do?